Triggering New Sounds with Drummer Aaron Edgar

Aaron Edgar gives his top tips on getting new sounds with drum triggering

I remember the first time I plugged one of my RT-30HR triggers into my TM-2. I put it on my snare drum, put my headphones on and started to play. What I heard was my 14×4.25 FerroManganese Steel Sonor snare drum that was tuned funky and tight, get a punchy kick drum sound added to it! It went from bright and poppy to sounding like it was eight inches deep… And about 22” in diameter!

On top of being able to give your drums acoustically impossible characteristics, you can completely separate the head and rim sounds with triggering! For example you could add some brassy ambient overtones to the head of whatever snare drum you like! Then add one of my personal favourite TM-2 sounds, “Stomp” to the rim! The result is a really industrial sounding backbeat with a really expressive snare drum sound. Another great option would be to add various sounds to your tom rims. You could have a full arsenal of percussion instruments at the push of a button!

Sometimes hearing your drums react with sounds other than what you’re used to can inspire you to play the drums differently. To me, that’s really where the magic comes from, using hybrid acoustic / electronic drum sets allows you to bring a nearly infinite sonic pallet to the table!

Aaron Edgar gives his top tips on getting new sounds with drum triggering

I remember the first time I plugged one of my RT-30HR triggers into my TM-2. I put it on my snare drum, put my headphones on and started to play. What I heard was my 14×4.25 FerroManganese Steel Sonor snare drum that was tuned funky and tight, get a punchy kick drum sound added to it! It went from bright and poppy to sounding like it was eight inches deep… And about 22” in diameter!

On top of being able to give your drums acoustically impossible characteristics, you can completely separate the head and rim sounds with triggering! For example you could add some brassy ambient overtones to the head of whatever snare drum you like! Then add one of my personal favourite TM-2 sounds, “Stomp” to the rim! The result is a really industrial sounding backbeat with a really expressive snare drum sound. Another great option would be to add various sounds to your tom rims. You could have a full arsenal of percussion instruments at the push of a button!

Sometimes hearing your drums react with sounds other than what you’re used to can inspire you to play the drums differently. To me, that’s really where the magic comes from, using hybrid acoustic / electronic drum sets allows you to bring a nearly infinite sonic pallet to the table!